Body language

Body language refers to various forms of nonverbal communication, where in a person may
reveal clues as to some unspoken intention or feeling through their physical behavior. These
behaviors include (but are not limited to) facial expressions, body posture,gestures, eye
movement, touch and the use of space. Body language exists in both animals and humans, but
this article focuses on interpretations of human body language. It is also known as kinesics.
Body language must not be confused with sign language, as sign languages are
full languages like spoken languages and have their own complex grammar systems, as well as
being able to exhibit the fundamental properties that exist in all languages. Body language, on
the other hand, does not have a grammar and must be interpreted broadly, instead of having an
absolute meaning corresponding with a certain movement, so it is not a language like sign
language, and is simply termed as a "language" due to popular culture.
In a community, there are agreed-upon interpretations of particular behavior. Interpretations may
vary from country to country, or culture to culture. On this note, there is controversy on whether
body language is universal. Body language, a subset of nonverbal communication, complements
verbal communication in social interaction. In fact some researchers conclude that nonverbal
communication accounts for the majority of information transmitted during interpersonal
interactions. It helps to establish the relationship between two people and regulates interaction,
but can be ambiguous. Hence, it is crucial to accurately read body language to avoid
misunderstanding in social interactions.

Body Language is a significant aspect of modern communications and relationships.

Body Language is therefore very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of
work and business where communications can be seen and physically observed among people.
Body language is also very relevant to relationships outside of work, for example in dating and
mating, and in families and parenting.
Communication includes listening. In terms of observable body language, non-verbal (nonspoken) signals are being exchanged whether these signals are accompanied by spoken words or
not.
Body language goes both ways:

Your own body language reveals your feelings and meanings to others.

Other people's body language reveals their feelings and meanings to you.

Physical movement
Facial expression
Facial expression is integral when expressing emotions through the body. Combinations of eyes,
eyebrow, lips and cheek movements help form different moods of an individual (e.g. happy, sad,
depressed, angry, etc.).
A few studies show that facial expression and bodily expression (i.e. body language) are
congruent when interpreting emotions. Behavioural experiments have also shown that
recognition of facial expression is influenced by perceived bodily expression. This means that
the brain processes the other's facial and bodily expressions simultaneously.] Subjects in these
studies showed accuracy in judging emotions based on facial expression. This is because the face
and the body are normally seen together in their natural proportions and the emotional signals
from the face and body are well integrated.

Body postures
Emotions can also be detected through body postures. Research has shown that body postures are
more accurately recognised when an emotion is compared with a different or neutral
emotion. For example, a person feeling angry would portray dominance over the other, and
his/her posture displays approach tendencies. Comparing this to a person feeling fearful: he/she
would feel weak, submissive and his/her posture would display avoidance tendencies, the
opposite of an angry person.
Sitting or standing postures also indicate ones emotions. A person sitting till the back of his/her
chair, leans forward with his/her head nodding along with the discussion implies that he/she is
open, relaxed and generally ready to listen. On the other hand, a person who has his/her legs and
arms crossed with the foot kicking slightly implies that he/she is feeling impatient and
emotionally detached from the discussion.
In a standing discussion, a person stands with arms akimbo with feet pointed towards the
speaker could suggest that he/she is attentive and is interested in the conversation. However, a
small difference in this posture could mean a lot. For example, if the same person has his/her leg
crossed over the other, and places his/her entire balance on one leg, this suggests a more casual
attitude.

Gestures
Gestures are movements made with body parts (e.g. hands, arms, fingers, head, legs) and they
may be voluntary or involuntary. Arm gestures can be interpreted in several ways. In a
discussion, when one stands or sits with folded arms, this is normally not a welcoming gesture. It
could mean that he/she has a closed mind and is most likely unwilling to listen to the speakers
viewpoint. Another type of arm gesture also includes an arm crossed over the other,
demonstrating insecurity and a lack of confidence. Hand gestures often signify the state of wellbeing of the person making them. Relaxed hands indicate confidence and self-assurance, while
clenched hands may be interpreted as signs of stress or anger. If a person is wringing his/her
hands, this demonstrates nervousness and anxiety.
Finger gestures are also commonly used to exemplify ones speech as well as denote the state of
well-being of the person making them. In certain cultures, pointing using ones index finger is
deemed acceptable. However, pointing at a person may be viewed as aggressive in other cultures
- for example, people who share Hindu beliefs consider finger pointing offensive. Instead, they
point with their thumbs.[ Likewise, the thumbs up gesture could show OK or good in
countries like the US, France and Germany. But this same gesture is insulting in other countries
like Iran, Bangladesh and Thailand, where it is the equivalent of showing the middle finger in the
US.

Handshakes
Handshakes are regular greeting rituals and are commonly done on meeting, greeting, offering
congratulations or after the completion of an agreement. They usually indicate the level of
confidence and emotion level in people. Studies have also categorised several handshake
styles, e.g. the finger squeeze, the bone crusher (shaking hands too strongly), the limp fish
(shaking hands too weakly), etc. Handshakes are popular in the US and are appropriate for use
between men and women. However, in Muslim cultures, men may not shake hands or touch
women in any way and vice versa. Likewise, in Hindu cultures, Hindu men may never shake
hands with women. Instead, they greet women by placing their hands as if praying.

Tone of voice
Tone of voice is a combination of spoken language and body language.
The manner in which something is said can affect how it should be interpreted. Shouting,
smiling, irony and so on may add a layer of meaning which is neither pure body language nor
speech.

Understanding Non-Verbal Communication

The difference between the words people speak and our understanding of what they are saying
comes from non-verbal communication, otherwise known as "body language." By developing
your awareness of the signs and signals of body language, you can more easily understand other
people, and more effectively communicate with them.
There are sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle movements, gestures, facial
expressions and even shifts in our whole bodies that indicate something is going on. The way we
talk, walk, sit and stand all say something about us, and whatever is happening on the inside can
be reflected on the outside.
By becoming more aware of this body language and understanding what it might mean, you can
learn to read people more easily. This puts you in a better position to communicate effectively
with them. What's more, by increasing your understanding of others, you can also become more
aware of the messages that you convey to them.
There are times when we send mixed messages we say one thing yet our body language reveals
something different. This non-verbal language will affect how we act and react to others, and
how they react to us.
This article will explain many of the ways in which we communicate non-verbally, so that you
can use these signs and signals to communicate more effectively.

First impressions and confidence

Recall a time when you met someone new at work. Or think about the last time you watched a
speaker deliver a presentation.
What were your first impressions? Did you sense confidence or a lack of confidence in them?
Did you want to associate with them or not? Were you convinced by them?
Did they stride into the room, engage you and maintain eye contact or were they tentative,
shuffling towards you with eyes averted, before sliding into a chair? What about their handshake
firm and strong or weak and limp?
Moving along in the conversation, did they maintain solid eye contact or were they frequently
looking away? Did their face appear relaxed or was it tight and tense? What about their hand and
arm movements? Were their gestures wide, flowing and open or were they tight, jerky and
closed?
As you observe others, you can identify some common signs and signals that give away whether
they are feeling confident or not. Typical things to look for in confident people include:

Posture standing tall with shoulders back.

Eye contact solid with a "smiling" face.
Gestures with hands and arms purposeful and deliberate.
Speech slow and clear.
Tone of voice moderate to low.

As well as deciphering other people's body language, you can use this knowledge to convey
feelings that you're not actually experiencing.
For example, if you are about to enter into a situation where you are not as confident as you'd
like to be, such as giving a big presentation or attending an important meeting, you can adopt
these 'confidence' signs and signals to project confidence.

Lying
Of all the non-verbal body language that we may observe, being able to tell whether a person is
lying or not will stand you in good stead.
Some of the typical signs and signals that a person is lying include:

Eyes maintain little or no eye contact, or there may be rapid eye movements, with
pupils constricted.
Hand or fingers are in front of his or her mouth when speaking.
His or her body is physically turned away from you, or there are unusual/un-natural
body gestures.

His or her breathing rate increases.

Complexion changes such as in color; red in face or neck area.

Perspiration increases.

Voice changes such as change in pitch, stammering, throat clearing.

As with all non-verbal language, it's important to remember here that everyone's personal body
language is slightly different. If you notice some of the typical non-verbal signs of lying, you
shouldn't necessarily jump to conclusions, as many of these signals can be confused with the
appearance of nervousness. What you should do, however, is use these signals as a prompt to
probe further, ask more questions and explore the area in more detail to determine whether they
are being truthful or not.
Further clarification is always worthwhile when checking out your understanding of someone's
body language, and this is particularly true during job interviews and in negotiating situations.

Interviews and negotiations, and reflection

What do you do when you are asked a really good question? Do you ponder for a few moments
before answering?
You might simply blurt something out without taking time to think about the answer, or you
could take a moment to reflect before answering. By taking some time to reflect on your
response, you are indicating to the questioner that they've asked you a good question and it is
important enough for you to take some time to consider your answer.
Be that in an interview situation or when negotiating something with someone, showing that you
are indeed thinking over your answer is a positive thing. Some typical signs and signals that a
person is reflecting on their answer include:

Eyes look away and return to engage contact only when answering.

Finger stroking on chin.

Hand to cheek.

Head tilted with eyes looking up.

So, whether you are on the receiving end of someone pondering, or you are doing the pondering,
there are certain gestures that give it away.

How to Read Body Language

Noticing the signals that people send out with their body language is a very useful social skill.
Some of us can read it naturally and some of us are notoriously oblivious. Fortunately, with a

little extra attentiveness, you can learn to read body language, and with enough practice it can
become second nature.

STEPS:

1) Pay attention to how physically close someone is to you. The closer they are, the
warmer they are thinking of you. If you move slightly closer to them and they move
even closer to you, they probably really like you or are very comfortable around/by
you. But this could also mean that they have a special comfort with you. A strong
friendship or they consider you a member of their family.
It is worth noting that personal space is culturally fluid; keep in mind that what is
considered close in one country is far away in another.

2) Watch their head position.

Overly tilted heads are either a potential sign of sympathy, or if a person smiles while
tilting their head, they are being playful and maybe even flirting.
Lowered heads indicate a reason to hide something. Take note if someone lowers their
head. If it is when he is complimented, he may be shy, ashamed, timid, keeping distance from the
other person, in disbelief, or thinking to himself or herself. If it is after an explanation, then he

may be unsure if what he said was correct, or could be reflecting.

o
It should be noted that some cultures see this as a sign of respect.

Tilted heads mean that they are confused or challenging you, depending on their
eye, eyebrow, and mouth gestures. Think of how a dog slightly tilts its head when you make a
funny noise.

3) Look into their eyes.

People who look to the sides a lot are nervous, or distracted. However, if a person looks
away from the speaker, it very well could be a comfort display or indicate submissiveness.
Looking askance generally means the person is distrustful or unconvinced.

If someone looks down at the floor a lot, they are probably shy or timid. People also tend
to look down when they are upset, or trying to hide something emotional. People are often

thinking and feeling unpleasant emotions when they are in the process of staring at the ground.
Sometimes looking down and away from the body can indicate shame or guilt. Just be
certain to validate this feeling by reverting back to the topic a second time to validate the body

language reading.
Some cultures believe that looking at someone in the eyes is a sign of disrespect, or is
only done with intimate friends or family, so this could explain why someone is avoiding eye

contact with you.

Dilated pupils mean that the person is interested. Keep in mind, however, that many
substances cause pupils to dilate, including alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, LSD and

others. Don't mistake having a few drinks for attraction.

If their eyes seem focused far away, that usually indicates that a person is in deep thought
or not listening.

4)See if they're mirroring you. If someone mimics your body language this is a very
genuine sign that they are trying to establish rapport with you. Try changing your body position
here and there. If you find that they change theirs similarly, they are mirroring.

5)Check their arms.

People with crossed arms are closing themselves to social influence. Though some people just
cross their arms as a habit, it may indicate that the person is (slightly) reserved, uncomfortable
with their appearance (self-conscious and trying to cover it), or just trying to hide something on
their shirt. If their arms are crossed while their feet are shoulder width or wider apart, this is a

position of toughness or authority.

Also be aware of their surroundings. If it's cold, or it might seem cold to them, they're

probably just trying to stay warm.

If they are rubbing their hands together or somehow touching their own body, they might

be comforting themselves (which means they aren't enjoying the current situation).
If someone rests their arms behind their neck or head, they are open to what is being

discussed or just laid back in general.

If their hands are on their hips, they might be waiting, impatient or just tired.

If their hands are closed or clenched, they may be irritated, angry, or nervous.

6) Pay attention to gestures in conversation.

Exaggerated movements can express passion or interest in the subject. Frequent reaching
forwards or superfluous hand gestures can mean that someone is trying to convince you of
something. Noting the intensity, frequency, and reach of hand gestures can help you read another

person's body language, but remember that the exact meaning of these gestures will depend
largely on context.
7) Be aware of nervous gestures:

If someone brushes their hair back with their fingers, this may be preening, a common gesture if
the person likes you, or their thoughts about something conflict with yours. They might not voice this. If
you see raised eyebrows during this time, you can be pretty sure that they disagree with you.

If the person wears glasses, and is constantly pushing them up onto their nose again, with a slight
frown, that may also indicate they disagree with what you are saying. Look to make sure they push up
their glasses with an intent, not casually adjusting them. Look for pushing on the rim with two fingers, or
an extra motion of wiggling the side of their glasses. The frown or raised eyebrows should tip you off.
(Note: A frown may also indicate eyestrain, and constant re-adjusting of glasses could be the result of an
improper fit. The distinguishing feature is whether they are looking directly at you while doing it.)

Lowered eyebrows and squinted eyes illustrate an attempt at understanding what is being said or
going on. It's usually skeptical. This is presuming they are not trying to observe something that's far away.

8) Watch their feet:

A fast tapping, shifting of weight, laughing, or movement of the foot will most often

mean that the person is impatient, excited, nervous, scared, or intimidated.

o
The meaning of feet tapping can usually be discerned depending on the context; if
you are currently talking and they are tapping their feet, that is an indication of a desire to leave
(though usually this behavior manifests when the person is anxious to get somewhere specific,
such as a meeting, rather than because of what you're doing specifically). Slow shuffling
indicates boredom with the current situation. If during flirtation your legs/feet touch, tapping can
generally be interpreted as nervous excitement. This is because if they were uncomfortable, they
would discreetly move away from the contact, a much more subtle escape than indirectly trying
to tell you to move away.
o
Note though that some people with ADHD will constantly jiggle their legs. It
doesn't mean anything, it's entirely subconscious and, while eccentric, it is difficult to stop. Some

people also do it out of habit.

If the person is sitting, feet crossed at the ankles means they're generally at ease.

If while standing, a person seems to always keep their feet very close together, it
probably means they are trying to be "proper" in some way. Sometimes feet together means that

they are feeling more submissive or passive.

If they purposely touch their feet to yours, they are flirting!
Some people may point their feet to the direction of where they want to go or
sometimes their interest. So if it's pointing at you, he/she may be interested in you.